Riding bicycles is a popular activity for locals and visitors, whether it is to get to the beach in Surf City, a restaurant in Beach Haven or ride the entire 18-mile Island from Holgate to Barnegat Light. These five bicycle rental shops can help you with all your rental needs while vacationing at the Shore:

Surf Buggy Bike Shop

If you're renting in the Surf City or Brant Beach areas, the Surf Buggy Bike Shop may be just around the corner. The shops offer a number of different rentals, including cruisers, comfort, road and children's bicycles.

For couples who might want to take a night ride to dinner, they can rent a tandem bicycle fit for two for $17 an hour or $35 a day. For riders who are mobility impaired or are new to riding bicycles, he or she can pick out an adult trike that comes with a basket and a western style saddle for comfort.

Owner Doug Lawver said people can rent on the day of or pre-book bicycle rentals up to two weeks in advance. Single and double surreys are "kind of a staple down the Shore for families," he said. Surreys can be rented for $22 to $30 an hour.

All bicycle rentals and accessories, including trailers, helmets and baby seats, are listed on the shops' website with the hourly, daily, 3-day and weekly prices. Shops are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at 1414 Long Beach Blvd. in Surf City and 3801 Long Beach Blvd. in Brant Beach. www.surfbuggylbi.com.

AJ's Rentals

Established in Beach Haven in 1958, AJ's Rentals is one of the oldest bicycle rental places on the Island. The shop holds a rental fleet of beach cruisers, multispeed and high end bicycles, which can be rented by the hour, day and week. Cruisers are available for $8 an hour, $22 a day and $55 a week, while multispeed bicycle prices run slightly higher.

A special service at AJ's Rentals is instruction on how to ride a bicycle, no matter a person's age. Owner Mary Lou Krewson said it started when an older person could not ride many years ago, which is common in people who may never had the opportunity to buy a bicycle in their lives.

AJ's Rentals is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and open until 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays at 311 S. Bay Ave. in Beach Haven.

The Boardwalk

You wouldn't think that you could find bicycle rental and repairs, beach rentals and ice cream all at one place on the Island, but that is exactly what you get at The Boardwalk. Opened since 2005, the shop rents a variety of bicycles and accessories for new and veteran riders on the Island.

Riders can rent at the shop from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day and chose from a selection of surreys, coaster, speed, children's, tandem, cargo and adult trike bicycles at an hourly, daily, 3-day or weekly prices. An adult can rent a Trail-A-Bike for $15 an hour, which is similar to a tandem bicycle, but more suited for children to ride with an adult without the use of training wheels.

The shop also rents accessories like baby tagalongs and child carriers, and places an importance of using helmets, said owner Beverly Tromm. By state law, a person younger than than 17 riding alone or as a passenger must wear a helmet, which can be rented at $1 an hour.

All pricing for bicycle rentals at 2306 S. Bay Ave. in Beach Haven are listed on the shop's website. Make online reservations in advance. www.theboardwalklbi.com.

Farias Surf and Sport

Whether you're staying in the northern or southern part of the Island, you won't be too far away from a Farias. With locations in three cities, the shops rent colorful Electra bicycles for those wishing to ride along beaches or roads in style.

The Ship Bottom location manager Will Randall Goodwin said the shop offers single-speed cruisers for rent at hourly, daily and weekly rates, starting at $9 an hour. The shop has also been popular for people who are looking to buy bicycles of their own, he said.

Locks are provided by the shop for riders to secure their bicycle rentals at places on the Island, and baskets are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Stores are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. or later at 2801 Long Beach Blvd. in Ship Bottom, 823 N. Bay Ave. in Beach Haven and 506 N. Long Beach Blvd. in Surf City. www.fariassurf.com.

Walters Bicycles

Originally opened 57 years ago as a bicycle and surfboard store, this mom and pop shop in Surf City offers a small fleet of rental bicycles consisting mostly of tandems and cruisers.

A large selection of quality bicycles also can be found for sale at the store, with rentals mimicking the same good quality as those for sale, said owner Tom Walters.

Bicycle rentals are available at rates of $10 an hour, $20 a day and $50 a week at Walters Bicycles.

While a lot of people on the Island would recommend riding spots such as the Beach Avenue route along the water, Walters said riders can find a quiet, scenic route in Barnegat Light's parks.

The shop also rents and sells children's bicycles, baby seats, infant helmets and gear. Locals and visitors can stop into the shop at 418 Long Beach Blvd. in Ship Bottom from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.